Aortic leaflet repair using shock wave applicators

Inventors

Betelia, Rainier • Nguyen, Hoa D. • SAAIBI, Camilo Perez • Tanner, Adam R.

Assignees

Shockwave Medical Inc

Abstract

Described herein are shock wave devices and methods for the treatment of calcified heart valves. One variation of a shock wave device may comprise an elongated flexible tube carried by a sheath. The tube may have a fluid input end, which may be located near a proximal end of the sheath. The tube may include a loop portion. The loop portion may be configured to be at least partially accommodated within a cusp of the heart valve. The tube may be fillable with a conductive fluid. In some variations, the shock wave device may include an array of electrode pairs associated with a plurality of wires positioned within the loop portion of a tube. The electrode pairs may be electrically connectable to a voltage source and configured to generate shock waves in the conductive fluid in response to voltage pulses.

Core Innovation

The invention relates to a device for generating shock waves to treat calcified lesions in the body of a patient. The device includes an elongate member and a tubular member connected to the elongate member, the tubular member being configured to be filled with a fluid, and a support member positioned at least partially within the tubular member.

A plurality of shock wave generators extend along the elongate member into the tubular member, and each shock wave generator includes an optical fiber for propagating laser pulses, wherein the optical fibers have different lengths. In the disclosed laser-based shock-wave generation, laser pulses are carried by optical fibers and are used to generate shock waves.

The disclosed arrangements also include features for positioning and shifting where shock waves are generated, using movable shock wave generators configured to be positioned at a distal end of the tubular member and moved proximally to generate shock waves at more proximal locations within the tubular member. The description further associates shock-wave treatment with breaking or cracking calcium deposits and with subsequent transcatheter aortic valve implantation outcomes.

Claims Coverage

The relevant independent claim is clm-00001. It is covered by dependent refinements that add a laser generator with optical-fiber coupling, specify shock-wave generation by delivering laser energy into the tubular-fluid, add flushing-lumen fluid options, constrain the generator type to an excimer laser, and add movable shock-wave generators to shift generation locations.

Overall, the claim coverage centers on shock-wave generation using a plurality of optical-fiber-based shock wave generators with different optical-fiber lengths, implemented within a fluid-filled tubular member with an internal support member. The dependent features further define laser generation and coupling, specify where laser energy is delivered for shock-wave generation, add flushing-lumen fluid options, constrain the laser generator type to an excimer laser, and introduce movable shock-wave generators to shift where shock waves are generated inside the tubular member.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications